Page 3 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Darcy sat with his relations in town, and his aunt and uncle were delighted with his arrival.

“After all these months, you finally convinced yourself to travel here. Though I wish you had arrived sooner, I am happy that you intend to stay for some time,” his aunt said.

“We are glad to spend time here, and I am certain Georgiana will be well entertained.”

“Do you plan on traveling to Hertfordshire with your brother, Georgiana dear?” Lady Matlock asked her niece.

“No, he informed me it would just be a short stay,” Georgiana replied.

“Then you must stay with us while he is away,” her aunt pressed.

Darcy agreed, and Richard was anxious to converse with his cousin in privacy, and they left for his father’s study.

“After all these years, I believe you took my suggestion seriously and started hunting for a bride,” he teased.

“You speak as though I were shopping for a horse rather than a wife,” Darcy said with evident annoyance, and Richard laughed upon seeing his face.

“If I did not know you better, I would say you already tried your luck in Derbyshire.”

Darcy nodded, constantly amazed at how easily Richard understood him.

“You could not find one suitable woman there in all these months?”

“To be honest, I did not go hunting; I only stopped avoiding women like I used to and tried to converse with any young lady who crossed paths with me, with the intention of becoming Mrs. Darcy. But the experience was appalling; Richard, I cannot endure it. I understand that I must marry, at least for Georgiana’s sake.

She feels so lonely in Pemberley, but the women I meet make me doubt whether they would even be affectionate towards my sister.

They befriend her, only to gain my affection.

She has been hurt enough, and I cannot allow anyone who has eyes only for my wealth and status into our lives.

It would devastate Georgiana if my future wife had no regard for her. ”

“You think too much.”

“Do you intend that it is something unwarranted? Since Ramsgate, I have distrusted my own judgment in everything and marriage most of all.”

“I suggest you do not lose hope. Perhaps you will find someone in Hertfordshire who admires you greatly, and yet admires herself still more while she is adorned with feathers.” He winked, and Darcy was well aware of whom he referred to.

“That could never occur. I endure her solely for Bingley’s sake. I hope my stay there will be short, as I cannot bear the thought of leaving Georgiana alone.”

“You forget that I am her guardian, too; I suggest you relax and enjoy your time there. I will take utmost care of her well-being.” Richard paused. “May I ask when you propose to leave?”

“I plan to leave next week and do not expect to stay longer than required.”

Somehow, Richard was convinced that Darcy would discover his bride in Hertfordshire, and he fervently hoped that it would not be Miss Bingley.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bingley and his sisters had arrived in Netherfield, and he looked forward to socializing in the country. The first meeting between the Bennets and Mr. Bingley’s family had already taken place in Lucas Lodge, and he had been smitten with Jane from the moment he saw her.

“If I am not wrong, Jane has captured Mr. Bingley’s eye within a few minutes. Don’t you agree with me, Lizzy?” Charlotte asked that evening.

“I do indeed, who could possibly resist liking my sister?” Elizabeth replied with a smile. She hardly attended gatherings except at Lucas Lodge, and Charlotte was her most trusted confidant.

“I am truly glad for your presence today as I missed you at last week’s supper party. I was on the verge of passing the entire evening without one intelligent conversation,” she declared with irritation.

“Forgive me, Charlotte, I cannot bring myself to attend these parties for diversion or amusement, as they only give me a headache. Can you believe that Mrs. Herbert, the other day, had the audacity to enquire whether the gentleman who had given me hope was already married?” she asked with a laugh.

“I cannot imagine she could be this cruel.”

“Why? What fault do you find in her question? I must give myself some credit for keeping our acquaintances amused on otherwise dull evenings. When no other topic presents itself, Elizabeth Bennet is sure to come to the rescue,” she said with a smile, though Charlotte could detect the pain in her words, laced with sarcasm.

“People will forget it, Lizzy, and so will you.”

“I don’t think either will happen in my lifetime.”

“You sound like an old maid, and I know someone named Charlotte Lucas who can give you stiff competition,” she said, and the friends laughed heartily.

They shared the same keen sense of humor and never hesitated to mock their own lives and temperaments for amusement.

Mrs. Bennet was delighted with Mr. Bingley’s arrival as the evening ended.

“I cannot believe how fortunate we are, Jane, with such a handsome, wealthy man to have traveled from town to stay here. It is destiny for certain, and from what I know, he has a friend visiting him soon to help with the property. I do hope we may soon secure a match for you and Lizzy.”

Mr. Bennet was furious with her, understanding well that Elizabeth was still depressed.

“I suggest you keep your match-making ideas to yourself, Mrs. Bennet. I do not want you to upset Elizabeth,” he cried in the carriage.

“Oh! She must keep her hopes up; she is not an old maid like Charlotte. She is young and can easily secure a wealthy match. Mr. Harrington might have slipped away from her hands, but I do not think he is the only man on earth.”

“Mamma! I beg of you to stop mentioning him,” cried Jane, concerned for her sister, but Elizabeth said nothing. Her mother’s words no longer pierced her; she had grown used to the pain over time, and she wondered if her heart had at last reached its threshold.

***

The following week, Darcy reached Netherfield early one morning, and his friend was thrilled to receive him.

“I cannot express how delighted I am to see you. I trust Miss Darcy is in good health,” Mr. Bingley said.

“Yes, she fares well and sends her regards.”

“I cannot tell you how much we have missed your company, Mr. Darcy. I wish you had brought your sister along; she is such a sweet girl, and I love spending time with her,” Miss Bingley said with warmth.

Darcy merely nodded, and he could quite easily understand that Miss Bingley was not willing to give up her pursuit, irrespective of his indifference.

He broke his fast with them, and Mr. Bingley was eager to show him about the estate, as well as acquaint him with news of the neighborhood, especially his excitement in having met several charming ladies in recent weeks.

“I am glad I chose to spend time here, Darcy. I have been well entertained, and as I mentioned, the few times I spent in Miss Bennet’s company have strengthened my intuition. I may end up settling down here permanently.”

There he goes again, falling in love at first sight of a pretty face.

“You say Mr. Bennet has five daughters.”

“Yes, he does, and all of them are quite pretty and pleasant to converse with. You need not fret; you shall meet them soon at the Meryton assembly.”

As apprehensive as he was about socializing with a room full of strangers, he wanted to see Miss Bennet and understand whether his friend was merely infatuated or truly in love.

***

In Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet struggled to persuade Elizabeth to attend the assembly.

“Do not be ridiculous; what can you have against an evening of merriment? I do not know why I allowed you to stay with Edward. You act heartbroken just because someone was partial towards you in the past. For heaven’s sake, Elizabeth, he did not even propose; what makes you think he even cared about you?

I cannot understand why you have been so forlorn these past months, and your state of despair is ruining us all.

I am plagued with questions about your absence at parties.

What am I to say? You are unnecessarily allowing our family to be ridiculed. ”

“Mamma! My absence will bring no shame upon any of you. I have no desire to attend the assembly; I beg you, do not compel me,” Elizabeth pleaded.

“Do you care about Jane at all?”

“What sort of a question is this?”

“Just answer me, Elizabeth. Do you care about your sister’s welfare?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then you will attend the assembly. Do you want Mr. Bingley to lose interest in Jane? It is important that he perceives us as a respectable family in society, rather than one with a daughter who is the subject of widespread gossip. You will attend the assembly, but if you choose to be stubborn, then I will never forgive you if Jane is affected by it,” she said and stormed out of the room.

Elizabeth felt suffocated after the conversation, and though her mother’s words were painful, her reasoning was astute.

I cannot allow my family to drown in the misery I have inflicted upon myself.

She decided to attend the evening, quite certain that it would have no consequence on her current state of mind.

***

Miss Bingley took immense care of her appearance for the evening of the assembly and was confident she would outshine any young lady in attendance.

“How do I look, Louisa?” she asked.

“Very enchanting indeed,” Mrs. Hurst replied, admiring her sister.

“I ought to gain his affection this time; I hoped it would happen last year while we were in Pemberley for Christmas. I cannot allow him to slip away again.”

“Are you certain that he is looking for a bride?”

“Of course he is, and why would he not? I am certain he wants to marry soon, and I must secure his regard.”

Mrs. Hurst hoped that her sister would not be disappointed.